23 September 2021
A new service with the aim of reducing the length of hospital stay for babies born prematurely and their families has been launched this week at University Hospital Coventry.
The Neonatal Community Outreach Service (NCOS) enables babies and their families to be cared for at home.
NCOT will care for babies in the community who require nasogastric tube feeds, home oxygen and home phototherapy.
The team will work across the three neonatal units within our Health and Care Partnership (HCP) system, UHCW, South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust and George Eliot Hospital, Nuneaton, to ensure a smooth transition from hospital to home.
Once babies are discharged, the NCOS will provide regular assessments and visits to babies and their families in the home environment.
This could include weight monitoring, supporting the transition from tube to oral feeds, weaning home oxygen and obtaining bloods required for home phototherapy.
Clinical Nurse Specialist Gillian Wood said: “We hope this service will improve families’ experience on their neonatal journey.
“Early discharge of babies home reduces mother and baby separation and improves breastfeeding rates and maternal mental health.”
Babies will be under the care of NCOS for up to four weeks but will only be discharged when the team are confident there are no ongoing concerns.
Should they feel further specialist support is required, NCOT will make a referral to the appropriate community children’s nursing team.
Ten-day old Teddy Brooks from Allesley Village, Coventry, became the service’s first patient this week, when he was discharged from the hospital's neonatal unit. Mum Jyoti said she was excited to be taking him home under the care of the specialist team.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON BLOOD TESTING DUE TO COVID-19
If you are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, e.g. fever, loss of taste or continuous new cough, please DO NOT attend for a blood test.
Earlier this year, the Government revised the guidance on Shielding for CEV patients. All those who have been identified as CEV have been advised to follow the same guidance as everyone else, whilst potentially thinking about extra precautions you could take to reduce your chance of catching COVID-19.
Taking into account this guidance, and the evidence that most patients have now resumed having their blood tests at their usual preferred location, UHCW will no longer be providing the Shielding phlebotomy service from Monday 13 December 2021. You will need to make arrangements to get your blood tests done, as you did prior to the pandemic at locations across Coventry and Warwickshire at www.uhcw.nhs.uk/bloodtests If your specialist has requested a blood test which is due to be taken prior to Monday 13th December, you can expect it to take place at a ‘Pop-up’ clinic, as before. Any blood tests required after this date will need to be a booked appointment.
You can keep up to date with the latest advice from the Government and from UHCW on the following website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19
Click on the map for information about phlebotomy clinics in Coventry. You can book an appointment online at the locations in red.
Please book an appointment before attending for a blood test. Click on the ‘Book Online’ button above. Booking an appointment helps patients, their carers and family members to plan their hospital visit better, helping to reduce clinic waiting times and enabling patients to be seen much more quickly.
Location: Outpatients Department, on the ground floor. Opening hours: 8am-4.45pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).
Children under 16 years old will need to book online here.
Please book an appointment before attending for a blood test, click on the ‘Book Online’ button above. Patients from Rugby and the surrounding areas are able to access the Friends Blood Taking Unit at the Hospital of St Cross.
Referrals for blood tests can be from GP's, practice nurses or from hospital consultants. Patients are also able to leave other samples, such as urine, which have been collected at home, at the hospital's Pathology Reception.
Location: Near Brookfield House, just off North Road - map here. Opening hours: The blood taking clinic sessions for adults and children are listed below:
Monday -Friday 7am-4:45pm Appointment only
Wednesday Evening 5pm-7pm Suspended due to COVID
Saturday Morning 7am-10pm Suspended due to COVID
April 2020 NEW - This Clinic is now by appointment. Please book an appointment before attending for a blood test. Click on the ‘Book Online’ button above.
Address: Stoney Stanton Road, Coventry CV1 4FS Location: Access is via the main doors, the Phlebotomy team are in Area A. Opening hours: Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). 8am–4.45pm
Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)
Specialist Tests - There are a small number of specialist tests where blood needs to be taken on a hospital site as the sample must be transferred to the laboratory rapidly for the test to be undertaken. Click here for a list of these specialist tests and to find out more.